But sources close to the club believe he could be back in 2008-2009 if the right deal can be struck.

Fowler has been left devastated by news that his season is over because of a new hip injury sustained while playing for City.

The new damage was discovered when Fowler flew to Colorado in America for a minor hip operation designed to solve a long-standing problem.

It turned out to be far more serious – and medical staff had to carry out a ‘micro-fracture’ of the hip bone to cure the damage.

Neither Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale or manager Dave Jones would make any comment today, but a source close to the player said: “When Robbie suffered an ankle injury in training it was felt the right time to have his hip sorted out with surgery.

“He would have been back playing in a few weeks, but the surgeon discovered new damage. It means Robbie is out for the rest of this season, but he wants to come back.”

Jones brought in Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on big money this season, thought to be around £20,000-a-week, and both have scored six goals..

The duo are on 12-month contracts with a year’s option, but it is unlikely both will return in 2008-2009.

Talks with Fowler are likely to be held over the next couple of weeks, while Hasselbaink has said he won’t think about next season until this one has ended.